JOINT BASE CHARLESTON – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service has honored a Joint Base Charleston 10-year-old for his outstanding academic achievements, awarding him with a $2,000 grand prize.
Fifth-grader Gerald Wells received the grand prize in the worldwide You Made the Grade sweepstakes Aug. 1 at Joint Base Charleston Exchange. 628th Mission Support Group Commander Col. Rockie Wilson, Exchange Regional Vice President Tony Pares and Joint Base Charleston Exchange General Manager Katy Litterer presented Gerald with his prize.
“I believed that, if I entered, I had a chance to win,” said Gerald, who heard about the contest from one of his sisters. “I was surprised when my parents told me that I won the first prize, but I knew that this was real.”
Gerald, 10, is the son of retired Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Gerald Wells Sr. and his wife, Dawn. Wells, a former Logistics Specialist, served in the Navy for 20 years. He attends Windsor Hill Elementary School in North Charleston, belongs to the Science Club and is a recipient of honor roll and citizenship awards.
Gerald’s prize comes at a good time. He’s planning on putting it toward clothes and shoes for the upcoming school year—and a few toys.
“It’s exciting to recognize Gerald for his academic achievements,” Litterer said. “There’s no better way to encourage young students than to give them a chance to be rewarded for their diligence in their school work.”
Through the Exchange’s You Made the Grade program, first- through 12th-graders with a B average or higher are eligible to enter the sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 Exchange gift card. Gerald was randomly selected as the grand-prize winner from than 900 entries.
For more information about the You Made the Grade program, students and guardians can contact the Joint Base Charleston Exchange at 843-552-5000. Students can send You Made the Grade sweepstakes entry forms to:
You Made the Grade
PO Box 227398
Dallas, TX 75222-7398
Facebook-Friendly Version: Good grades pay off! Fifth-grader Gerald Wells took home the $2,000 grand prize in the Exchange’s You Made the Grade sweepstakes during a presentation at the Joint Base Charleston Exchange. Read more: https://bit.ly/2M7z1PP
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.4 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
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Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative, please contact Doug Brodess, 214-312-3393 or [email protected]
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